Wayans brothers bring laughs to Forum

Marlon Wayans opened the show by making fun of celebrities and impersonating musicians. Photo: Joseph Horejs

UIC students and employees braved the Chiberian cold Thursday to pack the house at the UIC Forum for a night of improv and stand-up comedy with headliners Shawn and Marlon Wayans.

The crowd shared seats with friends or stood to watch LOL@UIC, sponsored by the UIC Student Activities Board and Campus Programs.

Local comedy group Mission IMPROVable warmed up the crowd, asking audience members their favorite foods and colors and speaking in “Shakespearian” tongue.

The laughter kept rolling with stand-up comedian Wil Sylvince. “Thought it was going to be cold,” Sylvince said, demonstrating the difference between 5- and 7-degree weather.

Sylvince’s exaggerated body movements and jokes hyped the crowd for the two Wayans brothers. Marlon opened by making fun of celebrities and impersonating musicians such as Michael Jackson and Jay-Z. Shawn, who came out after his brother called him onstage, shared more explicit jokes.

There wasn’t a moment when the audience wasn’t cracking up.

“Overall, a great show,” said Rafael Perez, sophomore in mathematics. “They should do this a lot more.”

In a Q&A section at the end of the show, the Wayanses offered the students inspiration and advice.

“Go to school for something you want to do,” Shawn said. “To be fearless is to be funny,” his brother said.

The first 450 students admitted to the show left wearing beanies with “LOL@UIC ’15” printed on the front. “It was very inspirational because of what they said, to follow our dreams,” said Alejandra Olaez, sophomore in education.

The first 450 students to the free comedy show were given LOL@UIC beanies. Photo: Joseph Horejs